Sunday 12th January
Newcastle United v Manchester City (14:05 GMT)
Analysis:
Newcastle come into this game off the back of a poor result against West Brom last time out in the league, and I don’t expect things to improve for them here against a Manchester City team that look every bit of the Champions-in-waiting we expected to see them as this season. And with the news that Aguero is likely to be back for them in this game, I simply can’t see any result other than an away win for Pellegrini’s men, as long as their League Cup exploits against West Ham midweek don’t tire them out too much.
Prediction: 0-2
Stoke v Liverpool (16:10 GMT)
Analysis:
Having watched Stoke a lot this season, you can really see Hughes’ mark on the way they go about things now, with much more of an effort to get the ball down and play some decent football, but that method is really going to be put to the test here against a Liverpool midfield that will harry and harass them all day long. Oh, and not to mention the most in form striker in the world right now, Luis Suarez. Stoke will try and play football, but I just think Liverpool won’t give them a moment’s peace, and the trickery and neat passing of their forwards will prove too much for a Stoke side still in transition.
Prediction: 0-2